Sightseeing on Liberty Island

Liberty Island is a small uninhabited island in New York Harbor in the United States.

The Liberty Island is the home of The Statue of Liberty.  The island has a land area of 59,558 square meters or 14,717 acres which is property of the federal government. This island is located completely within the boundaries of Jersey City, New Jersey but it built portions and docks fall under the jurisdiction of the City of New York. This island is only accessable by ferry. 

Liberty Island is not part of the Ellis Island they are about one mile apart from each other. This island has a very colorful past its owners ranging from British to French to American individuals. Liberty Island has been owned by the federal government since 1800, first military installation and now as a national landmark. This island was once surrounded by vast shellfish beds.

Liberty Island is formerly called Bedloe's Island. The name Liberty Island has been use since the early of 1900's and the name was not officially changed until 1956. This island is the home to Fort Wood, a multi-pointed star shaped battery made of granite because of this its nickname was Star Fort. The Fort was named Fort Wood after Lt. Col Eleazar Derby Wood who was killed in the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. It later became the part of the base for the Statue of Liberty. The island is accessible to the public only by ferry from the Battery Park in Manhattan and by ferry from Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

The Liberty Island is one of the several islands in New York Harbor near at the mouth of the Hudson River. This island offers panoramic views of New York Harbor. This island is operated by the National Park Service and since September 11, 2001 it is guarded by around the clock patrols of the United States Park Office Marine Patrol Unit.

The name of Liberty has been used since the early of 20th century but the island was renamed in 1956. Before the construction of the Statue of Liberty the island was defended by Fort wood. This Island of Liberty offers a numerous activities that suited for every travelers needs.

Visit The Statue of Liberty, New York

The Statue of Liberty is right on our doorstep! Catch the ferry year round from Liberty State Park and skip the lengthy NYC lines. Did you know that the statue is only 2,000 feet (610 m) from Jersey City & over two miles (3 km) from NYC with virtually no lines on the Jersey City side. You board the ferry just outside the historic Central Railroad Terminal in Liberty State Park, where nearly two-thirds of the twelve million immigrants who entered this country through Ellis Island departed for their new homes.

The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

 Ellis Island was the former federal immigration processing station which processed over 12 million third class and steerage immigrants between 1892 and 1954 and was named after the former owner of the island, Samuel Ellis. Ellis Island is located in the upper bay just off the Jersey City coast, within the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.

Statue Cruises ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island leaves from both Jersey City and NYC. The Jersey City ferry leaves from:
1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305
www.statuecruises.com

NOTE: The Statue of Liberty Interior Will Close for a Year: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says it needs a $27.25 million renovation for additional safety improvements. The Statue's interior will officially close on October 29, 2011, Liberty Island will remain open during the renovation which are expected to take a year. You can still visit the island, walk around the statue...she will still look as lovely as ever!

Junior Ranger Program: The on-site program is available to children between 7 and 12 years of age. This family friendly program gives participants an opportunity to learn about one of the world's most famous symbols of freedom. The activities are fun and teach children about the National Park Service, this site and why this National Monument is important to protect and preserve.

The Statue of Liberty was voted by Travel and Leisure as World's #1 Most Popular Landmark for 2012!

Things to do in Liberty State Park:
-Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
-See the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (CRRNJ)
- Take your need for speed to the track at Pole Position Raceway. This brand new 80,000 square foot indoor karting facility featuring the fastest electric cars in the US & tracks developed by NASCAR racers.
-Stop by the Liberty Science Center where learning science is both fun and educational
-Dine, and relax on the waterfront.
-Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. The waterfront pathway goes from Bayonne, past Liberty State Park and the Statue of Liberty all the way north into Hoboken and is over 18.5 miles long. Rent a bicycle to enjoy it all.
-Visit the Interpretive Center at Liberty State
-Take a boat tour of NYC and spend a lovely afternoon out on the water.
-Liberty State Park- 4th of July Fireworks extravaganza
-Check the calendar to see what events are happening today in Liberty State Park